Triple piano



T. SCHLITZ TRIPLE PIANO Feb. 18, 1930.

Filed March 4. 1927 INVENTOR. 5m 6M, 52

' ATTORNEYS.

Patented Feb. 18, 1930 'ATENT OFFECE THOMAS SCHLITZ, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK TRIPLE PIANO Application filed March 4,

This invention relates to musical instruments and more particularly to instruments commonly known as pianos played by the depression of keys.

Such instruments are of various types, as square, upright, grand, etc., the latter, with which this invention is concerned, consisting of a generally triangular casing arranged horizontally on legs and containing a single keyboard operatively engaged with an action composed of a frame in which are engaged a plurality of wires caused to vibrate upon being struck by hammers actuated by the keys and having a single sounding board.

in the recent past with the extraordinary increase in popularity of musical compositions of the lighter type, there has been developed a very effective use of more than one piano as it has been found that the tonal results are vastly enhanced and very beautiful musical effects obtained.

This practice has been followed not only in concert halls where four and even twelve single pianos have been so employed with a performer at each piano, but in dance and theatre orchestras which formerly had but one and sometimes no piano, the use of two pianos with two performers has been found to add greatly to the entertainment and musical effect.

In this invention there is shown a combination of three piano actions in a single case, with a single integral sound board common to all of the said actions.

Another object is in the provision of means whereby the tops of the pianos may be opened in such manner so as not to obscure the players.

These and other valuable objects are attained by the novel design, combination and arrangement of parts, hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming an important part of this disclosure, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the preferred 1927. Serial No. 172,647.

embodiment of the invention, one of the combined pianos being open to show the inner construction.

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the same.

in the drawing, three pianos of the grand type are shown having their reduced rear portions arranged in a common center, all three being enclosed in asingle triangularly shaped casing 5.

Each piano is provided with the usual keyboard 6, pedal device 7, forward legs 8, and string frame 9 carrying the strings 10, all of the foregoing being of well known construction.

Fixed below the frame 9 in the casing 5 and following the contour of the casing, is a single, unitary sounding board 11, the board being common to all three pianos.

The covers consist of a central, integral portion 12 extending partially over all three actions, to which are hinged at 13, intermediate leaves 14 pivoted at 15 to front leaves 16, the sections being arranged so that the leaves 14 fold upon the central member 12 and the leaves 16 fold upon the inverted leaves 14-, as best seen in the front piano of Fig. 1.

From the foregoing, it may be seen that three pianos, or any number, may be combined in a single casing and which have separate and individual actions, but a common, unitary sounding board, presenting unusual advantages for concerts and like occasions in which several performers take part simultan-eously.

While certain preferred embodiments of this device have been shown and described, it will be understood that changes in the form, arrangements, proportions, sizes and details thereof may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

In a musical instrument a single unitary casing enclosing a plurality of pianos the reduced rear portions of Which are arranged on a common center, a sounding board common to all of said pianos, and a cover for the casing consisting of separate parts, one for each piano, each part comprising sections hinged together to fold fiat upon the top of the piano, whereby the performers upon the said pianos are visible to one another While performing.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.

THOMAS SGHLITZ. 

